Changing your name can be an exercise in paperwork, but it's much easier when you're prepared. Whether you're changing your name because of marriage or divorce, or changing the name of a minor, contact your county's probate court. Ask about specific fees and requirements, since they can vary from county to county.

Steps

Method1

Changing Your Name When You Get Married

1

Get your marriage license. Find your local marriage license office through the county recorder. You and your fiance will need to appear in person to get the marriage license. To apply for your license, you'll each need to:[1]

Be at least 18 years old

Show picture identification (like a driver's license)

Provide social security numbers

Provide your parents' full names and where you were born

Give social security information

Pay $15 in cash ($30 for both of you)

Show certified documentation that you're no longer married, if you were previously married

There's no waiting period between applying and receiving your marriage license

2

Fill out the marriage license. Once you've gotten your marriage license and are married, make sure the license is signed by your officiant. Your officiant can be a justice, judge, lawyer, notary public, ordained minister, cleric, or licensed preacher.[2] This is the first legal document you'll need to get in order to change your name, don't lose any copies you pay for after filing the license.

In most counties, your officiant will need to officially file the license with the county. At this point, you'll need to pay for $7 for each certified copy of your marriage license at the municipal level (and $3 for extra copies.)[3]

3

Get replacement copies of your marriage license. 1 certified copy costs $6 and each additional copy is $6. If you need a replacement certified copy, you have several ways to purchase them. If you'd like to get it in person, go to the Vital Records Office at 220 Capitol St. in Augusta, ME. You'll need to pay by cash or check. You could also mail your request to their office, including a check or money order, copy of your photo ID, and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you'd like to order them online, you can purchase them from an independent company that has partnered with the state: VitalChek Network.[4][5]

You can order certified copies of your marriage license through their website or by phone at 1-877-523-2659.[6] The certified copy costs $15 for the first, plus a $13 processing fee, and shipping depending on your address.

4

Go to the Social Security Office. From there you can pick up and fill out the Official Form SS-5. You'll need to show the certified copy of your marriage license, which includes your old and new names.[7] If it's been more than 2 years since your marriage, you may need to give other documents proving your old name.[8] Once you've shown documentation of your new legal name, fill out an application for a new Social Security card.

There's no fee to apply and you should get it in the mail within 2 to 4 weeks.[9]

5

Update your driver's license at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). You must change your name in person at a BMV office within 30 of changing your name. After paying the $5 fee, you'll need to show a document that proves your name change, like your marriage certificate or updated Social Security Card.[10]

6

Change your name on other documents. After you change your federal and state issued IDs, you need to change your name on your other important accounts and documents. Don't forget to change your name at businesses you frequently work with, including any medical/dental files, or post office boxes. Examples of accounts you'll need to update include:

Bank accounts

Credit cards

Leases, mortgages, or loans

Car titles

Passport

Voter registration

Utility services

Method2

Changing Your Name After Divorce

1

Change your name during a pending divorce. If you're currently going through a divorce, you have the option to make your name change part of the proceedings. You or your ex-spouse can change your name back to what it was or choose a completely new name as part of your divorce.[11]

2

Change your name after a divorce. You'll need to file a name change petition (form CN-1) with the Probate Court in the county you live in. Be sure to check your specific county for name change fees, since they vary. Note that you can fill out the form online, print it out, and file it with the court. If you pick up the form from the office, you'll be charged an additional fee. If you print it out at home, the court has strict rules about the quality of the printed forms. Be sure to check the technical printer requirements. Fill out the form and attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and divorce decree. Include the following information on the petition:[12][13]

Your current full legal name

Your date of birth

Your address and telephone number

Why you'd like to change your name

The new name you want

Your attorney's name and address, if using legal services

3

Go to the Social Security Office. From there you can pick up and fill out the Official Form SS-5. You'll need to show your divorce decree, which includes your old and new names.[14] If it's been more than 2 years since your divorce, you may need to give other documents proving your old name.[15] Once you've shown documentation of your new legal name, fill out an application for a new Social Security card.

There's no fee to apply for a new card and you should get it in the mail within 10 business days.[16]

4

Update your driver's license at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). You must change your name in person at a BMV office within 30 of changing your name. After paying the $5 fee, you'll need to show a document that proves your name change, like your divorce decree or court order.[17]

5

Change your name on other documents. After you change your federal and state issued IDs, you need to change your name on your other important accounts and documents. Don't forget to change your name at businesses you frequently work with, including any medical/dental files, or post office boxes. Examples of accounts you'll need to update include:

Bank accounts

Credit cards

Leases, mortgages, or loans

Car titles

Passport

Voter registration

Utility services

Method3

Changing Your Name for Other Reasons

1

Determine if your name change is for a valid reason. Even if you aren't changing your name because of marriage or divorce, there are plenty of reasons you might want to change your name. You can change your name if you don't like it, for religious reasons, to reflect your new gender, or to create a combined name.[18] Invalid reasons include:[19]

Changing your name to avoid legal judgements, debts, or obligations

Changing your name to defraud someone else

Changing your name to hide from the law or police

2

Fill out the petition to change your name (form CN-1). File it with the Probate Court in the county you live in. Be sure to check your specific county for name change fees, since they vary. Note that you can fill out the form online, print it out, and file it with the court. If you pick up the form from the office, you'll be charged an additional fee. If you print it out at home, the court has strict rules about the quality of the printed forms. Be sure to check the technical printer requirements. Fill out the form and attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and divorce decree. Include the following information on the petition:[20][21]

Your current full legal name

Your date of birth

Your address and telephone number

Why you'd like to change your name

The new name you want

Your attorney's name and address, if using legal services

3

Attend a hearing, if required. Depending on your county's requirements, you may need to attend a court hearing. This is when you'll learn if your petition has been accepted, denied, or is contested by someone. If your petition is accepted, it will be published in the local newspaper.[22]

You may also be required to prepare and serve or simply serve your spouse with the notice of your name change. Or, the court may do it for you. It's important to check your county's operating procedures regarding this.[23]

4

Learn what to do if your petition is denied. If the court doesn't accept your petition for a name change, understand the reason why you may have been refused. Courts can deny name changes for a number of reasons, including:[24]

Method4

Changing the Name of a Minor

1

Learn who can petition a minor's name change. The legal custodian, not just the physical custodian, can petition to change the minor's name. Legal custody is usually determined by divorce proceedings and court orders. If there is shared legal custody, both parents must agree on the minor's name change.[26]

If one parent or custodians petition to change the name, the other parent or biological parents must be served notice of the change.

2

Change the minor's name by filing a petition. File a petition with the Probate Court in the county where the minor lives. Be sure to check your specific county for name change fees, since they vary. Note that you can fill out the form online, print it out, and file it with the court. If you pick up the form from the office, you'll be charged an additional fee. If you print it out at home, the court has strict rules about the quality of the printed forms. Be sure to check the technical printer requirements. You'll need to fill out a name change form (CN-2) with the following information:[27]

The minor's current full legal name and date of birth

The address of the minor

The name of the petitioner

The address and telephone number of the petitioner

The new name requested for the minor

A brief statement of the reason for the name change request.

3

Include additional documents. Once you've filled out the name change petition, you'll need to file a certified copy of the minor's birth certificate. If the name change is a result of a divorce, you'll also need to include a certified copy of the divorce decree.[28]

Depending on your situation and county requirements, you may need to provide a court order concerning custody of the minor or the death certificate of the deceased custodian.[29]